Tensioning apparatus



Jan. 3, 1967 H, RlCHTER 3,295,788

TENS IONING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

HANS H. R/fw TER 4/3 23M ATTORNE V5 Jan. 3, 1967 H. H. RICHTERTENSIONING APPARATUS w wcm w 2 W m M Filed Dec. 22, 1964 United StatesPatent 3,295,783 TENSIONING APPARATUS Hans H. Richter, Cranston, KL,assignor to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., a corporation ofMassachusetts Filed Dec. 22, 1964-, Ser. No. 426,281 5 Claims. (Cl.242154) The present invention relates to tensioning apparatus andrelates, more particularly, to a novel tensioning apparatus for use witha textile machine.

In the following specification and claims the term yarn is employed in ageneral sense to relate to all kinds of strandular material, eithertextile or otherwise, and the designation package is intended to meanthe product of a winding or twisting machine, whatever its form.

In the prior art there are a wide variety of tension devices whichoperate by presenting a tortured path to yarn passing therethrough.These tension devices, which may be appropriately referred to aswrap-type tensions, commonly have interdigitating fingers or otherelements about which the yarn is wrapped or at least partially wrappedto form the tortured path. The amount of tension imparted to the yarn bythe tension device is a function of the degree of wrap made by the yarnabout the fingers or other elements. It is known to provide means forvarying the degree of wrap the yarn makes with the tensioning elementsso as to adjust periodically the tension imparted in the yarn by thetension device. customarily, this adjustment is effected by'the yarnstrand itself acting to shift the mass of elements comprising thetension so that these elements assume some new position. The presentinvention represents improvements over such wrap type tension devices.Thus, the instant tensioning apparatus has particular application whereyarns down to -40 denier are to be twisted. Prior art tensions have beenfound unsatisfactory with such yarns due to their mass and undesirablyhigh inertial characteristics as they are operated. A further feature ofthe tension apparatus is its ability to hold its tension value over longperiods of time without attention. This is in clear contrast to priorart compensating tension devices which are deleteriously affected by thedeposition of lint and other foreign matter on the operating partstherof. With the foregoing in mind, the tension apparatus of the presentinvention acts to impart a predetermined amount of tension to a strandof yarn and the tension so imparted is automatically adjusted tocompensate for variations in the strand tension arising from externalsources so that the output tension on the yarn emerging from thetensioning device is maintained at a constant value.

Thus, it is one object of the present invention to provide improvedtensioning apparatus capable of imparting tension to an advancing strandof yarn, wherein said tension so imparted is automatically varied tocompensate for externally induced tension variations in the yarn so thatthe tension in the yarn at the output side of said tension apparatus issubstantially constant.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide tensioningapparatus capable of being easily and rapidly adjusted to yield apredetermined value of tension in yarn.

Yet, another object of the invention is to provide tensioning apparatuscapable of compensating for tension variations in yarn as the yarn isdelivered from one point to another, which said tensioning apparatus iscapable of use with a wide variety of textile machines.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a yarn tensioningapparatus which permits easy and rapid threading of the yarntherethrough.

Other objects of the invention will in. part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combintion of elements, and arrangement of parts which areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention, reference should be had to the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a textile machine embodying improvedtensioning apparatus made in accord ance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the improved tensioningapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the tensioning apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines IV-IV of FIG. 2 andillustrating the path of the yarn threaded through the apparatus withthe rotary tensioning member situated in an inactivated position; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the rotarytensioning member in an active position to form a tortured path for theyarn passing therethrough so as to impart tension to the yarn.

From a broad or general point of view the present invention may becharacterized as follows. A principal frame member is provided with apair of oppositely disposed yarn guides which serve normally to direct astrand of yarn in a straight-line path. A tensioning member is supportedfor rotary movement on an axis between the two spaced yarn guides. Saidrotary tensioning member is provided with a pair of eyelets and, also,has attached thereto a pair of tensioning pins, both the eyelets and thepins being engageable with the yarn as the tensioning member is rotatedto thereby deflect the yarn from its straight-line path and present atortured path for the yarn. As the yarn is engaged by the eyelets andpins it is deflected from its straight-line path. In consequencethereof, it is moved into engagement with a pair of fixed snubbing postsand is caused to wrap about these posts and about the eyelets and pins.As a result, the yarn assumes an increasingly accentuated zig-zag pathas the yarn engages the eyelets, pins, and post to an increasing egree,the friction produced thereby being operable to provide tension in theadvancing strand of yarn. A rather long, torsional, low rate spring isprovided to rotate the tensioning member, this spring being sodimensioned as to produce a substantially constant force on thetensioning member throughout its full arc of rotation. Damping means inthe form of a spring member acts to control undesirable fluctuations inthe rotational movement of the tensioning member, thereby preventingsaid tensioning member from hunting. A pretension is disposed upstreamof the rotary tensioning member in order to moderate and controlexternally induced tension fluctuations in the yarn and to maintain theyarn in contact with the tensioning components of the tensioningapparatus.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the-re is shown a preferred embodiment of theimproved tensioning apparatus of the instant invention incorporated in awinding machine of the type disclosed in US. Patent 2,769,299 to John V.Keith for Twisting and Winding Machine and issued November 6, 1956. Onlyso much of the structure of that machine has been set forth in thedrawing as is necessary to a full and complete understanding of therelationship between that machine and the present invention. Further,while the detailed description of the present invention is directed toits association in connection with the machine of the cited patent, itwill be readily apparent that the invention is capable of adaptation toa variety of other types of textile machines.

In the machine of the cited patent, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a windingunit is provided comprising a housing secured to a channel member 12which forms a bed supported by legs 14. A traverse mechanism, not shown,together with a spindle 16 are journalled in housing 10 and are drivenby a source of power located adjacent one end of the machine, all in themanner explained in the prior cited US. Patent 2,769,299. A shaft 18 isjournalled in housing 10 with one of its ends projecting from the frontend thereof and is manually rockable by means of a handle 20. The innerend of shaft 18 is connected to a clutch, not shown, for coupling anduncoupling the yarn traverse mechanism and spindle 16 to operate thewinding mechanism.

A multiple twist spindle unit of a type well known in the art is locatedbelow housing 10 and generally comprises a spindle 32 secured to aspindle bolster 34 which is connected by any convenient means to one armend of an arm 36. Arm 36 is attached to a shaft 38, which, in turn, insecured to member 12. A whorl 42 and a disc like flyer 44 are secured tospindle 32. The weight of the multiple twist spindle unit 30, augmentedby a spring 46, tends to urge arm 36 rearwardly to bring whorl 42 intocontact with a spindle driving belt 48 which extends in a generallyhorizontal plane along the front of the machine unit. Belt 48 is drivenby any convenient source of power,

such as an electric motor located at one end of the machine. Contact ofthe whorl 42 with belt 48 rotates fiyer 44 in a manner well known in theart to impart twist to yarn strand Y. A plurality of spaced idlerpulleys 50 are carried on a horizontal rail 52 supported on legs 14 bybracket 54. Said pulleys 50 serve to track belt 48 on the opposite sideof the belt from whorl 42. The idler pulleys 50 thereby apply a forceopposing the thrust of whorl 42 against the belt.

The upper portion of spindle 32 has an axial bore which connects with aradial bore formed in fiyer 44, but not illustrated herein, to provide apass-age for yarn Y in a manner common in multiple twist spindles. Aholder 58 for carrying a package of untwisted yarn P is journalled onspindle 32. A tension unit 60, to be more fully described hereinafter,is seated in the axial bore in spindle 32 and a cap or bonnet 62 isfitted over the tension device to provide a suitable lint protectingmeans for the tension device and to alford a guard to prevententanglement of the yarn or wrapping of the yarn about the body of thetension device as the yarn strand is advanced off package P. Bonnet 62has a central aperture through the top thereof at 64 which is inalignment with the yarn receiving portion of tension device foraccommodating strand of yarn Y.

The winding unit illustrated herein is threaded for operation by havinga strand of yarn Y withdrawn from package P and passed downward throughtension device 60 and continuing in a downward direction through theaxial bore of spindle 32. Upon emergence therefrom the yarn is directedthrough the radial bore in flyer 44. Thereafter being drawn upwardlythrough a suitable guide 64, supported from member 12, and onto windingspindle 16. In operation, the winding mechanism is started by rockinghandle 20. Flyer 44 is thereupon rotated to swing a loop of yarn aroundpackage P in a manner well known in the art to impart a plurality ofturns of twist into the yarn for each turn of the spindle. Win-dingspindle 16 is rotated to draw the yarn Y upward to wind it into apackage.

The several components just described and their mode of operation areold and well known and are presented to illustrate but one apparatus forutilizing the present invention, being understood that the presentinvention is readily adaptable to many other apparatuses of the type 4wherein controlled tension in an advancing strand of yarn is required.

As stated above, the tension device 60 is advantageously disposed to acton the yarn being withdrawn from package P and advanced to windingspindle 16. In accordance with the usual practice the yarn is directeddownward through the tension device where a controlled resistance ortension is imparted thereto. To this end, the tension device 60 of thepresent invention includes a C-shaped metal frame 70 which serves as theprincipal support for the tension elements. Frame 70 is arranged with anelongated depending post 72 extending from its lower wall or leg, saidpost being received snugly with the top of the axial bore of spindle 32.As seen in FIGS. 3-5 post 72 has an axial aperture 74 extendingtherethrough. Further, shank 72, preferably, is provided with a locatingkeyway adapted to engage a radially projecting mating key in spindle 32,neither the key nor keyway being illustrated herein, but both of whichcooperate to prevent rotation of the tension unit relative to spindle32.

A further post 76 is positioned at the distal end of frame 70 from thatsupporting post 72. Also, post 76 has a central bore or aperture 78longitudinally therethrough to provide for the passage of yarn. Theapertures 74 and 78 of posts 72 and 76 respectively are aligned and,thus, guide a strand of yarn extending therebetween, normally, in astraight-line path therebetween.

The open side of C-shaped member 70 is bridged by an elongated flatplate 80 which is fastened to frame 70 by a pair of screws 82, 83. Thecentral region of plate 80 has a flange or boss 84 faced with a washer85 of a material having a low coeflicient of friction such as Teflonmanufactured by E. I. duPont de Nemours and Co., Inc., Wilmington,Delaware. A central bore 86 is provided through boss 84 and washer 85,and an arbor 88 is journalled for rotation in said bore. The inner endof arbor 88 projects inwardly from plate 80 within the confines of frame70 and affords support for a rotary tensioning member 90. A set screw 92threadedly engages through the hub 94 of the rotary tensioning member tosecure this member onto arbor 88 in order that these two components mayrotate together. The side of rotary tensioning member 90 remote from hub94 is provided with a spacer 96 serving to position said member 90 apartfrom plate 80. It will be observed in FIGS. 2 and 3 that rotarytensioning member 90 has its opposite extremities folded at right anglesto its main body and each extremity has a wear-resistant grommet seatedtherein so as to provide a pair of oppositely disposed, aligned yarnreceiving eyelets 97, 98. Spacer 96 is of suflicient thickness so as tosituate eyelets 97, 98 in alignment with the axial apertures 74, 78 ofposts 72, 76, respectively, as best shown in FIG. 4.

Arbor 88, already described as rotatable in bore 86, extends outwardlyfrom plate 80 and receives one end of a spiral spring 100 fixedl in ahub 102 formed thereon. An enlarged flange 103 is formed integrally withhub 102 and arbor 88. The opposite end of spring 100 is fastened to theside of a circular guard or cap 104. In turn, cap 104 is secured againstthe outer side of plate 80 by a pair of screws 106, 107 and mating clamprings 108, 109 respectively, engaging on flange portion 110 of cap 104,the screws being threaded into a suitable hole in plate 80. Clamp rings108, 109 are of sufliciently large diameter to overlay a portion offlange 108 when screws 106, 107 are seated. By thi advantageousarrangement cap 104 maybe rotated to any desired position thereby, ineffect, winding spring 100 up to any desired extent within the limits ofthe spring and, thus, set a predetermined load on the spring. This, inturn, establishes a predetermined torsional force tending to rotaterotary tensioning member 90 and arbor 88 clockwise as shown in FIGS. 4and 5. With cap 104 thus positioned screws 106, 107 may be tightened toset the cap in position and hold spring 100 at its pre-set position. Itwill be observed that spring 100 is, desirably, formed of a relativelylarge number of convolutions so that the torsional force impartedthereby to arbor 88 is smooth acting and essentially uniform throughoutthe complete movement of tensioning member 90.

Damping means in the form of a damping spring 114 is positioned adjacentthe outer wall of plate 80. A spacer 116 is provided between the innerwall of the damping spring and the outer wall of plate 80 in order thatthe damping spring can align with the outer pointed end 116 of arbor 88.Screw 83 serves to hold the damping spring 114 and pacer 116 in positionas well as to secure plate 80 to frame 70. The upper portion of dampingspring 114 bears against the pointed end 118 of a arbor 88 to provide ananti-friction thrust of flange 103 against washer 85. Intermediate theposition at which arbor 88 communicates with damping spring 114 and thelower end of said damping spring 114, the damping spring is boredthrough to receive a screw 120 which extends therethrough and threadedlyengages in a tapped hole in plate 80. Set screw 120 is thus operative toexert an inwardly directed force on damping spring 114 which istransmitted as axial thrust to arbor 88. In turn, this axial thrust iseffective to urge flange 103 against low friction washer 85 to therebyprovide a moderating or damping action on rotary tensioning member 90,thereby overcoming possible hunting, or overly sensitive compensatingtendency, which may otherwise be introduced into said member 90 inresponse to the rotary movement imparted by spring 100.

As best shown in FIG. 3 the mid-portion of the main shank of a frame 70has a plate-like section 122 cast therewith. A pair of spaced-aparttension posts 124, 126 are embedded in section 122 and project therefromin the direction of rotary tensioning member 90. The outer ends oftensioning posts 124, 126 terminate free of contact or interference withthe rotational movement of said tensioning member 90. However, each ofthe tension posts 124, 126 extends beyond the vertical plane of yarn Yas the yarn stretches in a straight line between posts 72 and 76.Viewing FIG. 4, it will be seen that tensioning posts 124, 126 areoffset from vertical alignment with each other and, rather, are situatedso that yarn strand Y extending between posts 72, 76 in a straightlinepath can extend between the tensioning posts 124, 126 withoutinterference therefrom when tensioning member 90 is rotated to aligneyelets 97, 98 with apertures 74, 78. Also, there is supported in hub 94of rotary tensioning member 90 a pair of yarn tensioning pin 128, 130.Said pins 128, 130 are embedded securely in said hub and project towardsection 122 of frame 70 but terminate somewhat short of contacttherewith. Once again, viewing FIG. 4, it will be observed that whiletensioning pins 128, 130 are situated at diametrically oppositepositions they are offset from true vertical alignment with each other,when tensioning member 90 is positioned so that eyelets 97, 98 alignwith apertures 74, 78, whereby yarn Y extending between apertures 72 and76 can pass between these two posts without interference. It will befurther observed in FIG. 4 that tensoining pins 128, 130 lie on atheoretical circle somewhat smaller in diameter than a furthertheoretical circle on which tensioning posts 124, 126 may be consideredto lie. As will be described in more detail hereinafter, tensioningposts 124, 126, and tensioning pins 128, 130 cooperate with eyelets 97,98 to impart a predetermined tension in strand of yarn Y as it isadvanced through the tension device. To the end that the rotary path ofrotary tensioning member 90 may be limited, a pair of stop pins 132, 134are embedded at diametrically opposite positions in section 122 of frame70. Stop pins 132, 134 project forwardly into the plane of rotationalmovement of said tensioning member 90, as best shown in FIG. 2. Thus,tensioning member 90 is restricted to a zone of movement in the order of160 although it will be apparent that this path of movement may beadjusted by repositioning stop pin 132, 134.

It is desirable, particularly during threading-up of the device, thatthe yarn in the zone between aperture 78 to aperture 74 be controlledagainst lateral shifting. Hence, a sleeve 136 is provided which isformed from a resilient material. Sleeve 136 has a pair of generallysemi-circular ears 138, 139 formed along one margin which are of somewhat larger diameter than the principal body of the sleeve. Ears 138,139 are adapted to be pressed or snapped over the outer margins ofsection 122 to secure the sleeve thereon. Sleeve 136 has two elongatedslots 140, 142 therein, the slot 140 opening upwardly toward aperture 78while slot 142 opens downwardly toward aperture 74. As the yarn Y isthreaded through slots 140, 142 said yarn is thus permitted to bedeflected off a straight-line path in the direction of and to the extentof movement of eyelets 97, 98. However, lateral movement of the yarn,i.e., in the direction of plate or section 122 of frame 70, isrestricted to the rather narrow transverse dimension of slots 140, 142.

To insure constant contact between the advancing strand of yarn Y andthe various tension elements of the instant invention during operationof the unit a pretension array is provided. This pro-tension array isconstituted as a pair of juxtaposed disks 144, 146 supported loosely ona tension post 148 which is, in turn, secured to plate 80 by means of anut 149. The opposite end of tension post 148 is provided with a collar150 to hold the tension disks 144, 146 on said post. A light spring 152surrounds tension post 1481 and extends between the inside wall of plate80 and tension disk 146. Thus, spring 152 provides a light biasing forceurging disk 146 against disk 144. It will be quite apparent from FIG. 2that the interfaces of disks 144, 146 are aligned with apertures '74, 78so that a strand of yarn advancing between the two apertures will runbetween and be engaged by the tension disks.

To prepare the tensioning apparatus for operation screws 106, 107 arefirstly loosened to permit cap 184 to be rotated manually. By thisrotation spring 180 is tensioned or loaded to deliver a predeterminedtorque to arbor 88. This setting is made in accordance with the tensionto be imparted to the yarn to be wound and will, of course, bedetermined by the usual factors, or requirements of multiple twistspindles. Once spring 100' is set, screws 106, 107 are tightened to bindtheir respective clamp rings 108, 109 on flange 110, thereby fixing thecap 104, and thus spring 100, in position. At this time damping spring114 is adjusted to thrust against the pointed end 118 of ar-bor 88. Asalready stated, this spring 114 has for its purpose the controlling ofhunting effect by yarn tensioning member 90.

At this juncture the yarn Y is threaded through the tensioning apparatusby passing downward through aperture 78, between tension disks 144, 146,through eyelets 97, 98, between slots 140, 142, and outward throughaperture 74. At this time the yarn may be considered to define a path asillustrated in FIG. 4 passing between posts 124, 126 and pins 128, 130.However, it will be appreciated that the position of the yarn as shownin FIG. 4 would be theoretical in the absence of some external meansholding yarn tensioning member with its eyelets 97, 98 vertical.'Operationally, the yarn Y will, of course, assume a path somewhat akinto that shown in FIG. 5 due to the biasing influence of spring ontensioning member 90.

With the tensioning apparatus threaded as just described yarn may beadvanced from package 'P to spindle 16 of the associated windingmachine, said flyer 44 rotating to impart twist to the yarn as it isadvanced. As just indicated, as the yarn is advanced, yarn tensioningmember 90 will have rotated to a predetermined extent by spring 100whereby the yarn is caused to flow in a tortuous path through thetensioning apparatus, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Thus, the yarn is causedto turn at an acute angle around eyelet 97, to snub or wrap partiallyabout tensioning posts 124 and 126, to ride in surface contact withtensioning pins 128, 130, and to turn at a further sharp angle aroundeyelet 98. The pretension array including tension disks 144, 146function to maintain a certain constant minimum tension on the yarn asit passes around the eyelets 97, 98, the tensioning posts 124, 126 andpins 128, 1311, thereby serving to maintain the yarn constantly incontact with these elements as the yarn is advanced and tensioningmember 90 is rotated as shown in FIG. 5. Tension disks 144, 146 areunder a light load from spring 152. Thus, while these tension disks adda slight increment of tension to the yarn, the primary tension controlto the yarn is obviously the prime function of eyelets 97, 98, posts124, 126, pins 128, 130, plus any contact the yarn may make with theupper edge of post 72 as the yarn enters aperture 74, see FIG. 5.

During the Winding operation it may occur that external factors such asresistance in the package P to the unwinding of yarn will cause thetension in the yarn to vary. In response thereto tensioning member 90will rotate to compensate for such variations so that the yarn leavingthe tension device is at a substantially constant tension. Thus, if thetension value in the yarn should rise from an external cause, the yarnwould tend to pull tensioning member 90 closer to the vertical plane,that is to say, closer to the position of FIG. 4. Obviously, astensioning member 90 approaches this vertical alignment the degree ofyarn wrap about eyelets 97, 98, posts 124, 126 and pins 128, 130, aswell as the degree of contact of the yarn on the upper edge of post 72Will be reduced. It is evident that such reduction in wrap will beproportional to the increase in tension so that the total tension in thestrand at the discharge side of the tension is held essentiallyconstant. By the same token, if the tension in the strand should fallbecause of external variations, tensioning member 90, responding to theforce of spring 100 will rotate further so that its long axis will morenearly approach a horizontal plane, consequently, the yarn Y will bedeflected from vertical flowing thereby wrapping to a further extentaround eyelets 97, 98, posts 124, 126, and pins 128 and 130, andengaging the upper edge of post 72 to a greater extent. As a result, thetensioning apparatus increases the value of tension it imparts to theyarn in proportion to the loss of inherent tension in the yarn.Therefore, the output tension is, again, maintained at a substantiallyconstant level. Since spring 100 provides a low rate of energy responseof the tensioning member 90 is relatively uniform in both directions ofrotation thereby rendering the compensating movement of the tensioningmember very sensitive.

In the event of yarn breakage during operation of the winding machine,tensioning member 90 will rotate against stop pins 132, 134 causing theyarn to assume a rather extreme Zig-zag condition between eyelets 97,98, posts 124, 126 and pins 128, 130 so that advancing of the yarn is,advantageously, promptly arrested.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides ahighly eflicient tensioning apparatus capable of introducing apredtermined tension value to an advancing strand of yarn and capable ofcompensating for minute variations in the tension imparted to the strandso as to provide substantially constant tension in said strand beingdischarged from said apparatus.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for tensioning an advancing strand of yarn comprising, aframe, a pair of fixed yarn guides supported on said frame and adaptedto direct said strand in a straight path, a rotatable member disposedintermediate said guides and adapted to engage said strand, an arborrotatably journalled in said frame and arranged to support said member,said arbor having a flange portion thereon, resilient means connectedwith said arbor for rotating said arbor and member, a damping elementfor engaging an end of said arbor and exterting an axial force to thrustsaid flange portion against said frame to thereby control the rotationalmovement of said arbor and member, and fixed means mounted on said frameand spaced apart from said straight path, said strand being engageablewith said fixed means in response to rotation of said member to imparttension to said strand.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for adjusting theforce exerted by said damping element on said member.

3. Apparatus for tensioning an advancing strand of yarn comprising, aframe, a pair of fixed yarn guides supported on said frame and adaptedto direct said strand in a straight path, a rotatable member disposedintermediate said guides, said member having yarn receiving eyelets atopposite ends thereof for receiving said strand of yarn, an arborjournal-led in said frame and arranged to support said member forrotation about an axis intermediate the ends of the member, resilientmeans connected with said arbor for rotating said member, a pair ofspaced pins supported on said member, each said pin being disposedintermediate said arbor and an associated eyelet, a pair of fixed postsmounted in said frame and spaced apart from said straight path, each ofsaid posts being positioned between one of said eyelets and the pinassociated therewith, said strand being engageable with said eyelets,said posts and said pins in response to rotation of said member toimpart tension to said strand.

4. Apparatus as set :forth in claim 3 including a yarn guiding sleevefor restricting the lateral movement of said yarn on said posts and saidpins.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said resilient means is aspring, and means for adjusting the load on said spring.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,459,332 6/ 1923Hineline 242-154 2,326,714 8/1943 Whalton 242-154 2,618,445 11/1952 Bnder 242-154 2,685,417 8/1954 B-artleson 242-154 X 2,771,635 11/1956Munch. 2,833,491 5/1958 Carroll 242-154 3,080,132 3/1963 Fisher et al.242-154 3,176,927 4/ 1965 Irazoqui 242-154 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,027,0392/ 1953 France. 627,044 10/ 1961 Italy.

22,908 11/ 1900 Switzerland.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR TENSIONING AN ADVANCING STRAND OF YARN COMPRISING, AFRAME, A PAIR OF FIXED YARN GUIDES SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME AND ADAPTEDTO DIRECT SAID STRAND IN A STRAIGHT PATH, A ROTATABLE MEMBER DISPOSEDINTERMEDIATE SAID GUIDES AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID STRAND, AN ARBORROTATABLY JOURNALLED IN SAID FRAME AND ARRANGED TO SUPPORT SAID MEMBER,SAID ARBOR HAVING A FLANGE PORTION THEREON, RESILIENT MEANS CONNECTEDWITH SAID ARBOR FOR ROTATING SAID ARBOR AND MEMBER, A DAMPING ELEMENTFOR ENGAGING AN END OF SAID ARBOR AND EXTERTING AN AXIAL FORCE TO THRUSTSAID FLANGE PORTION AGAINST SAID FRAME TO THEREBY CONTROL THE ROTATIONALMOVEMENT OF SAID ARBOR AND MEMBER, AND FIXED MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEAND